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'Sugar' Shane Mosley asks: Where's Margarito?

Pomona’s “Sugar” Shane Mosley said he has agreed to a 50/50 split to set up a fight with world welterweight champion Antonio Margarito of Tijuana.

But Mosley also claims that Margarito has gone M.I.A.

“He’s hiding, nobody can find him,” Mosley said. “Someone told him the fight was on, but I’m hearing they can’t bring him in to agree to it.”

Boxing sources familiar with the situation say Margarito was invited to the Las Vegas offices of his promoter, Top Rank, last week, but failed to show. Money is the suspected cause of the delay, according to a source who asked to remain anonymous because he is not permitted to speak publicly.

Mosley, the former four-time champion who is coming off of a knockout victory over Ricardo Mayorga, said he’s already made a significant compromise by agreeing to the revenue split for the fight that's expected to occur in late January in Las Vegas.

“I’m more of the draw. I didn’t want to give him 50/50, but I wanted to get the fight done,” Mosley said. “I could’ve made more fighting [unbeaten Andre] Berto. I’ll bring most of the people to this fight.If he holds out any longer, I’m going to change the prices on him.”

Mosley also confirmed an earlier ESPN.com report that he has parted ways with his trainer-father, Jack, who will help to develop the boxing skills of Mosley’s son, Shane Jr. Mosley said he will work with Nazim Richardson, who is Bernard Hopkins’ trainer.

“Nazim has agreed to work with me, and we’ll get up to Big Bear as soon as possible, as soon as we see what’s going on with Margarito,” Mosley said. “If he was thinking I’m afraid to fight him, he’s wrong. I’m ready to fight.”

-- Lance Pugmire

Photo: Shane Mosley celebrates a knockout of Ricardo Mayorga during a junior middleweight bout at the Home Depot Center on Sept. 27. Credit: Harry How / Getty Images